Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2023 - 2024
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Description This module offers an introduction to the major themes and issues in the study of environmental change and world politics. Environmental degradation and change has become an increasingly prominent theme in world politics, particularly against a backdrop of rapidly-rising greenhouse gas emissions, increasing frequency of extreme weather events which may be linked to climate change, biodiversity loss, and other critical challenges. The module traces the rise of environmental change as an issue on the global policy agenda since the landmark Stockholm conference in 1972, and views these developments through five different analytical lenses: agency, including that of both state and non-state actors; architecture of governance at different levels; accountability, including questions of legitimacy; allocation of environmental resources and equity of distribution; and adaptiveness of governance systems. The second part of the module involves a class simulation of the UN climate change negotiations in which students are allocated to a country/region delegation. They are required to research the position of their country region and then represent that position in the simulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate strengths and weaknesses of contending approaches to the study of comparative and international environmental policy 2. Understand systematically the utility of different analytical lenses for comprehending the challenges of global environmental degradation 3. Develop and defend a negotiating position for an allocated country/region in international climate change negotiations 4. Participate actively as part of a group delegation in a climate change negotiation simulation, and critically reflect on the exercise | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Topic 1Introduction to global environmental politicsTopic 2Agency in global environmental politics: state and non-state actorsTopic 3Architectures of environmental governanceTopic 4Accountability and legitimacyTopic 5Equity and allocationTopic 6Adaptiveness of environmental governance systemsTopic 7National responses to climate change in high income countriesTopic 8National responses to climate change in middle income countriesTopic 9National responses to climate change in low income countriesTopic 10Climate change negotiation simulation exerciseTopic 11The future of global environmental governance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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